How Long Is the Ballet Don Quixote?

Ballet

Don Quixote is a timeless ballet classic, choreographed by Marius Petipa and based on the novel of the same name by Miguel de Cervantes. The ballet tells the story of Don Quixote’s quest to become a knight-errant, accompanied by his companion Sancho Panza. The ballet premiered in 1869 at the Imperial Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow and has since been performed around the world.

The ballet is traditionally split into two acts, with three additional divertissements (dance pieces) in-between. The first act follows Don Quixote and Sancho Panza as they travel through Spain, encountering various characters along their journey.

This first act culminates with the famous duet between Don Quixote and his love interest, Kitri. The divertissements feature a variety of Spanish dances that highlight the culture of Spain at that time.

The second act takes place in Barcelona, with Don Quixote, Sancho Panza and Kitri now attempting to elope against her father’s wishes. They eventually escape to freedom after a series of humorous escapades and encounters with other characters from their journey. The finale celebrates their victory with a grand pas de deux between Kitri and Don Quixote set to the music of Ludwig Minkus’s score.

The full length version of Don Quixote typically runs for two hours and thirty minutes. This includes several intermissions that give audiences a chance to take a break from watching or stretch their legs before continuing on with the performance.

Don Quixote is one of the most beloved ballets throughout history; it has inspired generations of dancers and choreographers alike since its premiere in 1869. The production has undergone numerous reinterpretations over the years, from ultra-traditional productions to more modern interpretations like Maurice Bejart’s well known “Mondialisation” version which is still performed today around Europe.

In conclusion, Don Quixote is an enduring ballet classic that typically runs for two hours and thirty minutes. It features dazzling choreography set to Ludwig Minkus’s celebrated score which has enthralled audiences all over the world for centuries.